title: Seasonal variation of carcass decomposition and gravesoil chemistry in a cold (Dfa) climate.
abstract: It is well known that temperature significantly affects corpse decomposition. Yet relatively few taphonomy studies investigate the effects of seasonality on decomposition. Here, we propose the use of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system and describe the decomposition of swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) carcasses during the summer and winter near Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. Decomposition was scored, and gravesoil chemistry (total carbon, total nitrogen, ninhydrin-reactive nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate, and soil pH) was assessed. Gross carcass decomposition in summer was three to seven times greater than in winter. Initial significant changes in gravesoil chemistry occurred following approximately 320 accumulated degree days, regardless of season. Furthermore, significant (p < 0.05) correlations were observed between ammonium and pH (positive correlation) and between nitrate and pH (negative correlation). We hope that future decomposition studies employ the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system to understand the seasonality of corpse decomposition, to validate taphonomic methods, and to facilitate cross-climate comparisons of carcass decomposition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 102 Entomology Hall, Lincoln, NE, 68583-0816.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 102 Entomology Hall, Lincoln, NE, 68583-0816.
authors.forename: Brianna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 102 Entomology Hall, Lincoln, NE, 68583-0816.|Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Laboratory of Forensic Taphonomy, Chaminade University of Honolulu, 115 Wesselkamper Science Center, 3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI, 96816.
authors.forename: David O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D064751:Ammonium Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D003081:Cold Climate; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D023421:Models, Animal; D009555:Ninhydrin; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D012621:Seasons; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D064751:Ammonium Compounds; D009566:Nitrates; D012987:Soil; D002244:Carbon; D009555:Ninhydrin; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Köppen-Geiger; Total Body Score; forensic science; forensic taphonomy; nitrogen cycle; postmortem interval